New Fairfield man seriously hurt in crash with cop

John Pirro

Updated 7:24 pm, Tuesday, December 24, 2013

NEW FAIRFIELD -- State Police are continuing to investigate the collision on Route 37 Monday evening that sent a New Fairfield man and a Connecticut state trooper to the hospital.

The trooper was treated at Danbury Hospital and released, a spokesman said, but the other driver was transferred to Yale-New Haven Hospital where he was reported to be in serious condition Tuesday morning.

State police said a preliminary investigation indicates that Trooper Christopher Porrini, 32, was backing out of a private driveway just north of Reservoir View Drive soon before 9:30 p.m. when his cruiser was struck broadside by a 2001 Plymouth Neon operated by Michael Rubino, 36, of Fleetwood Drive.

The impact from the collision spun both vehicles around, and the cruiser ended up facing north while the Rubino vehicle was facing west in the middle of the road.

A section of Route 37 was closed for several hours while police investigated the crash, and motorists were detoured onto adjoining roads.

Sgt. Bryan Van Ness said Rubino sustained a head injury but was conscious and able to speak with police when they arrived.

His injuries were not considered life-threatening, Van Ness said.

Felix Rubino, brother of the other driver, said Michael Rubino was expected to undergo surgery at Yale-New Haven later Tuesday.